Dispensing apparatus

ABSTRACT

A dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The dispensing apparatus comprises a liquid dispenser and a towel dispenser. The liquid dispenser further comprises a container member and an expelling member. The towel dispenser is disposed adjacent to and in contact with a portion of the container member of the liquid dispenser. Liquid is dispensed, through the expelling member of the liquid dispenser, in a substantially downward direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application is the National Stage of International Application No.PCT/US2004/031035 filed on Sep. 16, 2004; which claims priority of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/503,446 filed on Sep. 16,2003. These prior applications are incorporated herein in their entiretyby reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The Present Invention relates to a dispensing apparatus and, moreparticularly, to an apparatus for dispensing a liquid for cleaning,dispensing and collecting towels which may be used in conjunction withthe liquid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In sports or other activities, there are many situations in which it isnecessary, but impractical, to maintain clean hands. For instance, whenplaying a round of golf, it is fairly common for players to get mud,food or other liquids on their hands. However, access to bathroomfacilities is typically inconvenient or impossible. Similarly, the sameissues can arise when participating in other outdoor activities, such asfishing, playing tennis, camping, hunting or other similar activities,which require a person to be away from bathroom facilities for anextended period of time.

Currently, portable devices do exist which assist in the maintenance ofhygiene in environments where such facilities are not readily available.For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,989, issued to Saraceni on 13 Oct.1998, discloses a combination dispenser comprising both a cleaningsolution and a towel dispenser. See, Saraceni, Abstract. Generally, theSaraceni reference provides a portable means by which a person can use acleaning solution, complete with a means for wiping up any excess.

However, the Saraceni reference does not disclose a means for which theused paper towels can be disposed of properly. Further, it does notprotect the towels from outside factors, such as rain and snow. Finally,the dispenser in the Saraceni reference does not provide for thedownward expelling of the cleaning solution—an aspect that isimpractical when considering the potential use of hygiene, as well aspreventing wasteful use of the cleaning solution.

Therefore, the need exists for an apparatus that allows one to maintainproper hygiene that overcomes the disadvantages stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the objects of the Present Invention, dispensingapparatus is disclosed. The dispensing apparatus comprises a liquiddispenser and a towel dispenser. The liquid dispenser further comprisesa container member and an expelling member. The towel dispenser isdisposed adjacent to and in contact with a portion of the containermember of the liquid dispenser. Liquid is dispensed, through theexpelling member of the liquid dispenser, in a substantially downwarddirection.

A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, propertiesand relationships of the Present Invention will be obtained from thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forthillustrative embodiments that are indicative of the various ways inwhich the principles of the Present Invention may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the Present Invention, reference may behad to preferred embodiments shown in the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a dispensingapparatus, made in accordance with the Present Invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially-exploded perspective view of thedispensing apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate two front perspective views of the dispensingapparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the dispensing apparatus of FIG. 1attached to a support member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY-PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The Present Invention provides a combination dispensing apparatuscomprised of a liquid dispenser, a towel dispenser and a refusereceiver, where the dispensing apparatus may be positioned in situationsin which running water (or any similar method of cleaning) isinconvenient, impractical or nonexistent. For example, it iscontemplated that the Present Invention may be attached to a golf cartor similar apparatus, thereby allowing golfers or others to clean theirfaces, hands or clubs during a round of golf. However, it should also beappreciated by those with skill in the art that the Present Inventionmay be used in connection with other sporting applications such asboating, tennis, etc. It is also contemplated that the Present Inventionmay be utilized in outhouses or other locations where hygiene isnecessary and/or important, but where standard means for achieving suchhygiene are inadequate. Thus, it should be realized that, although thedescription of the Present Invention may describe it in a specificcontext, i.e., in connection with golf carts, such a description is onlyexemplary in nature and should not be construed as limiting theapplication of the Present Invention in any manner.

For purposes of the description herein, the use of the term “liquid”shall generally mean any substance that flows readily and is difficultto compress. More specifically, “liquid” shall mean any substancecommonly known as a liquid, any substance that is liquid-like (i.e.,gel, solution, solvent or solute) in nature or any reasonably flowablepowder. For purposes of the description herein, “liquid” shall includeany substance commonly used for cleaning and/or possessing cleaning orcleansing properties. Non-exhaustive examples of liquids, for purposesof the description herein, include cleaning solutions, cleansingliquids, soap, water, etc.

Additionally, the use of the term “towel,” for purposes of thedescription herein, shall generally mean any piece of absorbent cloth orpaper used for wiping and drying. More specifically, “towel” shall meanany device comprised primarily of cloth, a cloth-type substance, paperor other absorbent material, which is primarily, though not exclusively,used for cleaning, wiping and/or drying. Further, the term “towel”necessarily includes those towels that are pre-moistened, aromatic,soap-injected, etc. Non-exhaustive examples of towels, for purposes ofthe description herein, include paper towels, tissue papers, clothtowels, chamois, etc.

When describing the details of the Present Invention, references will bemade to the Figures, in which like numerals will denote the same (orsimilar) elements. Referring to the Figures, dispensing apparatus 10 isillustrated as generally comprising liquid dispenser 12, towel dispenser14 and refuse collector 16. It should be understood, however, that eachof the liquid dispenser 12, towel dispenser 14 and refuse collector 16have separate and distinct functions, and that one or more of theseelements may be removed and/or rearranged with respect to the otherelements. Therefore, for example, the dispensing apparatus may bedesigned to consist of a liquid dispenser 12 and towel dispenser 14only.

As most accurately shown in FIG. 1, for expelling liquid, liquiddispenser 12 includes container member 18 and expelling member 20.Container member 18 is further comprised of top portion 22, bottomportion 24 and middle portion 26. Preferably, container member 18 may bemade of any sturdy, lightweight, non-porous, non-corrosive materialcapable of holding various types of liquids, as defined above. In thisregard, container member 18 may be a single molded plastic piece ormultiple independent pieces that are joined by snap fitting, adhesives,screws, nuts, bolts or other materials known in the art, provided thatthe container member 18 is watertight.

Container member 18, as a whole, preferably possesses an overall width.Moreover, each portion within container member 18 (i.e., top portion 22,bottom portion 24 and middle portion 26) have an individual width. Theseindividual widths may or may not be equal to the overall width ofcontainer member 18 or each other, depending on the uniformity and shapeof container member 18. For instance, container member 18 may representa uniform tube; in such a case, the overall width of container member 18would be equal to the overall individual widths of top portion 18,bottom portion 24 and middle portion 26. However, as is illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, container member 18 is not a uniform shape. That is, theindividual width of top portion 22 is different from not only theindividual widths of bottom portion 24 and middle portion 26, but alsoof the overall width of container member 18.

As illustrated in the Figures, container member 18 is tubular in nature,although it is contemplated that container member 18 may be formed ofany particular shape such that the tenets and teachings of the PresentInvention are maintained. Moreover, although not shown, top portion 22,bottom portion 24 and middle portion 26 collectively define acontainment cavity. The containment cavity receives and stores theliquid until it is necessary to dispense the liquid from liquiddispenser 12.

Further, although not illustrated by the Figures, top portion 22 ofcontainer member 18 may possess an aperture (not shown). It is throughthe aperture that a liquid may be placed inside containment cavity forstorage, and also through the aperture that the liquid may be expelledfrom the containment cavity by liquid dispenser 12. In addition, anaperture may alternatively or concurrently be located on bottom portion24 of container member 18, or in any other location that would allow forease of access to the aperture.

To expel liquid from the containment cavity, expelling member 20 ispreferably removably attached to top portion 22 of container member 18of liquid dispenser 12. Expelling member 20 preferably comprises a meansby which the liquid contained within containment cavity is expelled fromliquid dispenser 12. Similar to container member 18, expelling member 20may also be made of any sturdy, lightweight, non-porous, non-corrosivematerial. Additionally, expelling member 20 may be made of the samematerial as container member 18. For expelling the liquid, expellingmember 20 is illustrated as comprising spout portion 28 and pump portion30.

Spout portion 28 preferably comprises any standard, currently-knownspout, spigot, faucet, etc. for expelling the liquid from liquiddispenser 12. Moreover, spout portion 28 is preferably designed toaccommodate the types of liquids, defined above, without muchdifficulty. That is, spout portion 28 should be readily adaptable foruse with liquids possessing varying degrees of viscosity, from highviscosity fluids and powders, such as, for example, powdered or liquidsoap, to low viscosity fluids, such as, for example, water. It ispreferred that spout portion 28 be configured in any number of designscurrently known in the art to dispense the liquid from liquid dispenser12 in a substantially vertical and, more preferably, a substantiallydownward, direction.

Pump portion 30, whose interior mechanics are not shown in the Figures,provides a means by which the liquid contained within the containmentcavity is transferred to spout portion 28 and eventual expulsion fromliquid dispenser 12. Preferably, pump portion 30 may comprise anycurrently-known method of achieving the above-stated purpose, such as,for example, a vacuum-based pump and tube apparatus partially disposedwithin containment cavity and attached to spout portion 28.

To ensure the towels may be adequately dispensed, towel dispenser 14 isillustrated in the Figures as comprising core member 32, enclosingmember 34, gripping member 36 and window member 38. Towel dispenser 14is configured to receive a plurality of towels, as well as allow for theremoval of the towels. The primary purpose of towel dispenser 14 is toprotect the plurality of towels from the elements, such as, for example,rain and wind. Similar to the elements of liquid dispenser 12, theelements of towel dispenser 14, as described below, may also be made ofany sturdy, lightweight, non-porous, non-corrosive material, such as,for example, a single piece of molded plastic.

Core member 32 possesses inner side 40 and outer side 42. Preferably,inner side 40 of core member 32 of towel dispenser 14 is sized such thatit fits snugly around bottom portion 24 and middle portion 26 ofcontainer member 18 of liquid dispenser 12. That is, for example, ifbottom portion 24 and middle portion 26 of container member 18 of liquiddispenser 12 is tubular in nature, as is illustrated in FIG. 1, andpossessing an overall width, then inner side 40 of core member 32 oftowel dispenser 14 possesses an inner width (the distance between oneside of inner side 40 to another side) similar to, but slightly greaterthan, the overall width of bottom portion 24 and middle portion ofcontainer member 18. Similarly, if bottom portion 24 and middle portion26 of container member 18 of liquid dispenser 12 is square orrectangular in nature, then inner side 40 of core member 32 of toweldispenser 14 would also be square or rectangular in nature, with aninner width slightly greater than the overall width of bottom portion 24and middle portion 26 of container member 18.

Outer side 42 of core member 32 of towel dispenser 14 is preferablyadapted to receive the plurality of towels, as disclosed above. It iscontemplated that outer side 42 of core member 32 may be shaped suchthat the plurality of towels are disposed in a roll (which may besimilar to paper towels currently for sale to the general public).Alternatively, outer side 42 of core member 32 can be configured andshaped such that the plurality of towels are disposed in a stack (i.e.,similar to tissue boxes currently for sale to the general public).

As stated above, to ensure that towels are not exposed, enclosing member34 preferably fits around core member 32, serving to protect theplurality of towels contained in core member 32 from the elements.Enclosing member 34, as illustrated in the Figures, nearly circumventsall of core member 32. However, enclosing member 34 is illustrated inFIG. 1 as containing first opening 44 and second opening 46. Firstopening 44 comprises a slit, or slotted shaped feature, that runssubstantially through the vertical length of enclosing member 34. It isthrough first opening 44 that each of the plurality of towels isreleased from core member 32. Depending on the configuration of theplurality of towels in core member 32, first opening 44 may allow forone of the plurality of towels to be disposed partially in first opening44 (similar to the manner in which tissue papers are disposed in atissue paper box), thus allowing for a user to select one of theplurality of towels without having to reach inside enclosing member 34to core member 32. Alternatively, first opening 44 may be designed toaccommodate a user's hand inside enclosing member 34.

Gripping member 36, as illustrated, fits within second opening 46 ofenclosing member 34. Gripping member 36 is preferably a contoured pieceof material so as to allow a user to maintain, or steady, dispensingapparatus 10 while removing one of the plurality of towels.

For allowing a user to view the towels, window member 38, asillustrated, is disposed over enclosing member 34. This is particularlyadvantageous because in the preferred embodiment of the PresentInvention, the towels may include advertisements or coupons to enticeusers into purchasing products or to present advertising to such users.More specifically, window member 38 is disposed over first opening 44 ofenclosing member 34 and adjacent second opening 46 of enclosing member34. Window member 38 is preferably made of a clear solid, so as to allowone to discern the availability of at least one of the plurality oftowels present within core member 32. In addition to providing a“window” through which a user can determine if one of the plurality oftowels is present within core member 32, window member 38 also providesprotection, from wind and rain, to the plurality of towels disposedwithin core member 32.

As illustrated by FIG. 4, core member 32 and enclosing member 34 mayinclude a support member (not shown) for attaching the dispensingapparatus 10 to a stabilizing member such as a pole, as shown in FIG. 4.This will allow dispensing apparatus 10 to be attached to an object forease of use. Additionally, it is contemplated that core member 32 andenclosing member 34 may be configured in a manner such that dispensingapparatus 10 may be attached to a wall, countertop, etc. and in a mannersuch that the dispensing apparatus 10 may be pivoted to more easilyaccess the top portion 22 of the container member 18. It should also beunderstood that the support member, which may be of a well-known design,may also be attached to other portions of the dispensing apparatus 10.

Refuse collector 16 is disposed adjacent bottom portion 24 of liquiddispenser 12. Similar to the elements of liquid dispenser 12 and toweldispenser 14, the elements of refuse collector 16, as described below,may also be made of any sturdy, lightweight, non-porous, non-corrosivematerial, such as, for example, a single piece of molded plastic.

To facilitate the collection of refuse, refuse collector 16 comprisesreceptacle member 48 and door member 50. Receptacle member 48 possessesbottom portion 52 and substantially tubular portion 54. Bottom portion52 and substantially tubular portion 54 collectively define refusecavity 56. Acting as a refuse container for spent towels and otherrefuse, receptacle member 48 is preferably easily detachable fromdispensing apparatus 10. Receptacle member 48 may also be configuredsuch that a refuse bag (or similar item) can be placed inside receptaclemember 48 within refuse cavity 56. Door member 50 is preferably disposedwithin a portion of the substantially tubular portion 54. Door member 50allows a user to place refuse within refuse cavity 56.

While the Present Invention has been described in its currentlypreferred form, various modifications of these specific embodiments willbe apparent to those in the art. For example, the size and/or dimensionsof various parts of dispensing apparatus 10 may be altered withoutdifferentiating from the scope of the Present Invention. Additionally,individual parts of dispensing apparatus 10 may be rearranged withoutdifferentiating from the scope of the Present Invention. Thus, whilespecific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, itwill be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and alternatives to those details could be developed inlight of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, theparticular arrangement disclosed is meant to be illustrative only andnot limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given thefull breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

1. A dispensing apparatus, comprising: a liquid dispenser, the liquiddispenser comprising a container member and an expelling member; and atowel dispenser, the towel dispenser being disposed adjacent to and incontact with a portion of the container member of the liquid dispenser;wherein liquid is dispensed, through the expelling member of the liquiddispenser, in a substantially downward direction.
 2. The dispensingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the container member of the liquiddispenser includes an aperture.
 3. The dispensing apparatus of claim 2,wherein the opening is disposed within a top portion of the containermember of the liquid dispenser.
 4. The dispensing apparatus of claim 2,expelling member is removably attached to the opening of the containermember.
 5. The dispensing apparatus of claim 4, wherein the expellingmember comprises a spout portion and a pump portion.
 6. The dispensingapparatus of claim 1, wherein the towel dispenser comprises a coremember, around which towels are removably attached.
 7. The dispensingapparatus of claim 6, wherein the towel dispenser further comprises anenclosing member, the enclosing member being disposed around the towelsand ensuring that the towels are not directly exposed to environmentalfactors.
 8. The dispensing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the toweldispenser further comprises a gripping member to aid in the removal oftowels.
 9. The dispensing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the toweldispenser further comprises a window member disposed over a portion ofthe enclosing member.
 10. The dispensing apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe towel dispenser provides towels that include advertisements thereon.11. The dispensing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the towel dispenserprovides towels that include coupons, which form part of the towel. 12.The dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the towel dispenserincludes a support member capable of attaching the dispensing apparatusto a stabilizing member.
 13. The dispensing apparatus of claim 12,wherein the support member is configured in such a manner so as to allowthe dispensing apparatus to pivot with respect to the stabilizingmember.
 14. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising arefuse receiver, the refuse receiver being disposed on a bottom side ofthe liquid dispenser.
 15. The dispensing apparatus of claim 14, whereinthe refuse container is removably attached to the bottom side of theliquid dispenser.
 16. The dispensing apparatus of claim 14, wherein theliquid dispenser comprises a substantially tubular shape.
 17. Thedispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the towel dispenser is disposedsubstantially around a portion of the container member of the liquiddispenser.
 18. The dispensing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the toweldispenser is shaped to receive a plurality of towels disposed in a roll.19. The dispensing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the towel dispenser isshaped to receive a plurality of towels disposed in a stack.
 20. Adispensing apparatus comprising: a liquid-expelling apparatus, theliquid expelling apparatus comprising a container member and anexpelling member; the container member comprising a top portion, abottom portion and a substantially tubular middle portion, the containermember possessing a first width; the top portion comprising an aperture,the top portion possessing a second width; the bottom portion possessinga third width; the substantially tubular middle portion possessing afourth width; the top portion, the bottom portion and the substantiallytubular middle portion collectively defining a containment cavity inwhich a liquid may be deposited; the expelling member being removablyattached to the top portion of the container member, the expellingmember being in communication with the liquid through the aperture; theexpelling member comprising a pump portion for urging the liquid fromthe containment cavity; a spout portion, the spout portion beingdisposed such that the liquid is expelled from the containment cavity insubstantially a downward direction; a towel-enclosing apparatus, thetowel-enclosing apparatus being disposed around the liquid-expellingapparatus, the towel-enclosing apparatus comprising a core member, anenclosing member, a gripping member and a window member; the core membercomprising an inner side and an outer side, the inner side of the coremember having a second radius, the second radius being greater than thefirst radius such that the core member fits snugly around the containermember, the outer side of the core member being adapted to receive aplurality of towels; the enclosing member being disposed about asubstantial portion of the core member and having a first openingdefined therein and a second opening defined therein, the enclosingmember protecting each of the plurality of towels and permitting theremoval of one of the plurality of towels at a time; the first openingof the enclosing member consisting primarily of a slotted shapesubstantially traversing the vertical length of the enclosing member;the second opening of the enclosing member being disposed adjacent tothe first opening of the enclosing member; the gripping member beingdisposed within the second opening of the enclosing member; the windowmember being disposes over the first opening of the enclosing member, afirst side of the window member being removably attached to theenclosing member such that the window member is moveable from a firstposition to a second position to allow the release of one of theplurality of towels from the towel-enclosing apparatus; arefuse-collecting apparatus, the refuse-collecting apparatus beingdisposed adjacent the bottom side of the liquid-expelling apparatus, therefuse-collecting apparatus comprising: a receptacle member, thereceptacle member having a bottom portion and a substantially tubularportion, the bottom portion and the substantially tubular portioncollectively defining a refuse cavity; and a door member, the doormember being disposed within a portion of the substantially tubularportion.